Sample Chapters
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Chapter 6: Grievances & Filing Complaints
Counseling Tips
- Congressional pressure is most effective when military regulations and established procedures are not being followed.
- It is better to ask a Congressional caseworker to make inquiries for specific information or to redress a particular violation of regulations than to make general requests for help.
- Congressional military caseworkers have varying degrees of GI rights advocacy experience and have other responsibilities. It is important to stay in touch with them.
- An Article 138 very commonly begins with mistreatment by a chief, a division officer, etc., under the commanding officer's authority, and the initial request for redress may be against a member of the command, not just against the commanding officer. The complaint portion may therefore be for the commanding officer's failure to control a subordinate.
- Relief can include a request for an apology, a training or briefing about policy, etc.
- The Army and Navy provide sample formats for Article 138 complaints in their regulations, and sample letters of complaint can also be found at Sample Article 138 Complaint.
- Be sure to date all correspondence.